Tuesday, March 11, 2014

i kept seeing recipes pop up on pinterest for no-bake energy bites and was intrigued. they were all very similar versions of the same idea: nut butters, flax, oats, chocolate chips, honey – all mixed together then rolled into little bite sized balls.

so, like i usually like to do, i scanned a handful of different recipes then came up with one that sounded best to me. the result is perfection if i do say so myself and with these types of fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants recipes, the ingredients, quantities and final product changes each time. they're a not-too-sweet sweet-treat packed with protein, omega 3s and healthy fat – and the brown rice syrup and rice cereal combo gives them a chewy/crispy combination that reminds me of a rice crispy treat without, you know, the horrendous ingredients.

(side note: if the nut butters i'm using are feeling dry – ie: if they're from the bottom of the jar – i'll heat the stainless mixing bowl by running hot water on the bottom to slightly heat up the ingredients and make them easier to stir together. it just makes the process a little easier but isn't necessary.)

add the crispy rice cereal (or as bonzo calls it, "the crispy rices!") along with the ground flax and cacao nibs and mix it all up until well combined.

mushy put the finishing touches on the mixing. she opted to use the measuring spoons because stirring with five spoons simultaneously just seemed like the right thing to do – and who am i to disagree? the best part is that the "batter" can be eaten straight from the bowl. sampling is encouraged.

once everything's combined, roll it into whatever-sized bites your little heart desires. i dunked a few of them in shredded coconut, too – it sticks right on, looks pretty and tastes great. enjoy them right away or store them in an airtight container for later. i like mine in the freezer or fridge best and we pack them as snacks routinely.